THE 3 B's: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING SAFER PRODUCTS

Have you ever wondered why so-called safe ingredients are often found in cancer patients? The relationship between these substances and cancer is often complex, involving long-term, low-dose exposures and it all comes down to three important processes that we call the "3 B's": Bioaccumulation, Bioconcentration, and Biomagnification. Don't worry if these words sound intimidating - we're going to break them down in a way that's easy to understand.

1. Bioaccumulation: The Body's Storage System.
Think of bioaccumulation like your body's piggy bank. Just as you might save coins over time, your body can store certain substances. Sometimes this is good - like when your body stores vitamins and minerals for later use. For example, your body stores vitamin D in your fat cells, saving it for gloomy days when you don't get enough sunlight.

But here's the catch: your body will also stores less desirable things, like synthetic chemicals from certain products we use. Studies have found that substances called PFAS for example, which are used in many everyday items like non-stick pans and water-resistant clothing, can build up in our bodies over time.

NOTE: Bioaccumulation and Cancer: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are known to bioaccumulate and have been associated with various cancers. A study by Lim et al. (2018) in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found links between POP exposure and an increased risk of breast cancer. Examples of POPs are organochlorine pesticides and industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

2. Bioconcentration: When a Little Becomes a Lot.
For instance, researchers have discovered that tiny water creatures can absorb chemicals from the water around them, ending up with much higher levels in their bodies than in the water itself.

NOTE: Bioconcentration and Cancer: Many pesticides that bioconcentrate in organisms have been linked to cancer. A review by Mostafalou and Abdollahi (2013) in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology discussed the association between pesticide exposure and various cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and cancers of the brain, prostate, and breast.

3. Biomagnification: The Food Chain Effect.
As smaller creatures are eaten by larger ones, certain substances can become more concentrated up the food chain. A famous example is mercury in fish. Small fish absorb a little mercury from the water. Bigger fish eat lots of these small fish, collecting more mercury. Then, even bigger fish eat these medium-sized fish, and the mercury levels keep growing. By the time you get to large predatory fish like tuna or swordfish, the mercury levels can be quite high.

NOTE: Biomagnification and Cancer: Mercury, which biomagnifies in aquatic food chains, has been associated with increased cancer risk. A study by Rautnagar et al. (2022) in the journal Toxics found that methylmercury exposure was associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.

USE THE 3 B's TO MAKE SMARTER CHOICES
By being aware of the "3 B's," you're already taking a big step towards making healthier choices for yourself and the environment. The next time you're shopping, think about the "3 B's" and consider how the products you choose might affect your personal "piggy bank" of substances. Your body (and the planet) will thank you!